But everything has changed now. The US economy continues to wade through treacle and, as a result, there seems to be growing talk that Obama is destined to be a one-term president. And currently leading the polls as his most likely Republican successor is Rick Perry, the governor of Texas.

* While 62% of Democrats say that global warming is caused mostly by human activities, most Tea Party members say it is either naturally caused (50%) or isn't happening at all (21%).

* By contrast, Tea Party members are more likely to agree that the record snowstorms of the winter of 2010-2011 in the US caused them to question whether global warming is occurring.